The Readers’ Writers: Interview with author, journalist Margaret Rose

Friday

Feb 18, 2011 at 12:01 AMFeb 18, 2011 at 6:13 PM

Multi-published author, journalist, advertising manager, copywriter, editor, wife and mother Margaret Rose has been writing her entire life. Her first published piece appeared in McCall’s Magazine – while she was in grade school.

DA Kentner

Multi-published author, journalist, advertising manager, copywriter, editor, wife and mother Margaret Rose has been writing her entire life. Her first published piece appeared in McCall’s Magazine – while she was in grade school.

After years of writing magazine articles, Rose found a niche in romance. Now, drawing on her love of her children, she has seen her initial children’s book “First Spring” published. Simply put, her children have inspired Rose to share with the world the joy they have instilled in her heart.

“First Spring” is a poetic story of a toddler discovering the wonders of a world previously hidden under layers of snow. Marina Movshina’s artwork completes a recipe that produces a reading experience children and parents will savor again and again.

Q. You open your life to the world, not just through your stories, but on your blogs as well. Why is sharing who you are so important to you?

A. I hope there is a lot of information my blogs and websites don’t divulge! However, the Internet has created an opportunity for people to connect. My life is so much richer for many of the people I have met online. Many are now friends I send Christmas and birthday cards to. I’ve had lunch with some and even vacationed with them. They teach and support me, which is crucial. The readers, authors and friends I reach out to don’t want to have my latest book promotion crammed at them constantly. That’s why we fast forward television commercials and switch radio channels! Having a very good understanding of how to use social media enables me to become as real as I want to be in an online community or to an individual. I am not a character in my books. Writing is what I do. If I can get you to know me as a person, I think the propensity to look at my promotional posts, and yes, even buy one of my books increases.

Q. Considering how much your children inspire you, why did you choose to wait until now to publish your first children’s book?

A. *laughs* I’ve been busy raising those little monsters! In all honesty, I never dreamed of publishing a book of any sort. I’d had it drilled into my head in college that I was no good at character or plot development. I found the methods taught for play writing to be tedious and restrictive. In short, I believed that professor. I’d followed my dream to become a professional writer many years ago. Four years ago, I finally eked my way into fan fiction and then romance. With a small amount of success under my belt, I took out First Spring on a whim and submitted it. Lucky for me, Guardian Angels Publishing snapped it up.

Q. Your life is so busy, how do you set aside time for your family?

A. It’s always a pleasure to get to know new people. When the boys were younger, I did most of their outings and school things with them. Now that they’re older, my husband does a lot of those things. He definitely pulls his weight around the house and with the family. Some things are sacred to me, however. Meals together, tucking them in and waking them up, sending them off to school and greeting them personally when they come home are things I do every day. We go to church as a family and volunteer there. My husband I attend their concerts and events, and volunteer for their activities. We feel strongly that we shouldn’t just drop our kids off and never become involved.

Q. As a mother and author, how do you feel about the rising trend to infuse young adult novels with sex?

A. I’m planning a YA book this summer, but there’s no reason for this particular story to include sex. These books can be highly entertaining without it, but publishers will confirm and I won’t deny, that sex sells. Many of these young adult books are wonderful if you choose age-appropriate stories. Pre-read the book or at least scan it beforehand, and discuss it afterward if you’ve given the green light to read.

As parents, we have boundaries in our home about how sex affects our children. I think a lot of the YA books coming out discuss sexual identity and acceptance. I’m supportive of that as long as my child understands that their questions should come to us. Even the questions that make me squirm or angry. I don’t want my child to think letting him read a book about sexually active teenagers is also giving him some sort of unspoken permission to behave similarly. I won’t abdicate my parenting responsibilities by giving my child a fiction book to teach life lessons instead of giving my time.

Q. For the countless mothers who have cooed and whispered impromptu poems and stories in their child’s ear, what advice do you have for them?

A. Write these poems and stories down. First and foremost, they are a gift to your child, precious beyond any kind of fame you might experience should they be published.

www.margaretrosewrites.blogspot.com

DA Kentner is an author and journalist. http://dakentner.blogspot.com.